StephenP
ArnoldRoosters sink boot into Bulldogs
April 4th 2008 11:15
The Sydney Roosters have won tonight’s inner Sydney war, blazing their way to a 40-12 thrashing of a shell-shocked Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
Led courageously by man of the moment Willie Mason, the star studded Roosters side piled on seven tries to silence the 36,526-strong vocal, pro-Bulldogs crowd.
While two-try hero Mason will grab all the post-match headlines, it was Roosters halves Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce that stole the show, with the unconventional halves pairing laying the foundations for the crushing win.
After dominating the media all week, it was fitting that Mason opened the scoring in the 19th minute, the towering backrower accepting a fine short ball off the shoulder of Fitzgibbon to charge over in front of a baying Bulldogs mob.
Fitzgibbon had no problems with the conversion to hand the visitors a deserved 6-0 lead.
An Amos Roberts try in the 29th minute extended the visitors lead, with the flashy winger claiming an Anasta bomb spilt by opposite Heka Nenai, strolling over untouched for the Roosters second converted try.
It was Anasta’s boot that provided halves partner Pearce with their team’s third try just three minutes later, with the stocky five-eight popping over a pinpoint chip-kick for Pearce to score beside the posts.
Fitzgibbon’s conversion, plus a 35th minute penalty goal allowed the Roosters to go to the sheds with a commanding 20-0 lead.
The match was as good as over when Mason crashed over for his second four pointer early in the second half, with Fitzgibbon’s fifth goal pushing the Roosters out to a 26-0 lead and the vital two competition points.
Further tries to Fitzgibbon, Setaimata Sa and Shaun Kenny-Dowall completed the Roosters scoring for the night, with tries to the Bulldogs Ben Roberts and Corey Hughes adding some respectability.
Sydney now travel to the foot of the mountains next Saturday night to do battle with the Penrith Panthers, whilst the Bulldogs will have nine days to prepare for their travel to Mt Smart Stadium to face off against the New Zealand Warriors.
Sydney Roosters 40
Tries: Willie Mason 2, Amos Roberts, Mitchell Pearce, Craig Fitzgibbon, Setaimata Sa, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 5, Amos Roberts
defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 12
Tries: Ben Roberts, Corey Hughes
Goals: Hazem El Masri 2
At ANZ Stadium
Referee – Tony Archer
Crowd – 36,526
Led courageously by man of the moment Willie Mason, the star studded Roosters side piled on seven tries to silence the 36,526-strong vocal, pro-Bulldogs crowd.
While two-try hero Mason will grab all the post-match headlines, it was Roosters halves Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce that stole the show, with the unconventional halves pairing laying the foundations for the crushing win.
After dominating the media all week, it was fitting that Mason opened the scoring in the 19th minute, the towering backrower accepting a fine short ball off the shoulder of Fitzgibbon to charge over in front of a baying Bulldogs mob.
Fitzgibbon had no problems with the conversion to hand the visitors a deserved 6-0 lead.
An Amos Roberts try in the 29th minute extended the visitors lead, with the flashy winger claiming an Anasta bomb spilt by opposite Heka Nenai, strolling over untouched for the Roosters second converted try.
It was Anasta’s boot that provided halves partner Pearce with their team’s third try just three minutes later, with the stocky five-eight popping over a pinpoint chip-kick for Pearce to score beside the posts.
Fitzgibbon’s conversion, plus a 35th minute penalty goal allowed the Roosters to go to the sheds with a commanding 20-0 lead.
The match was as good as over when Mason crashed over for his second four pointer early in the second half, with Fitzgibbon’s fifth goal pushing the Roosters out to a 26-0 lead and the vital two competition points.
Further tries to Fitzgibbon, Setaimata Sa and Shaun Kenny-Dowall completed the Roosters scoring for the night, with tries to the Bulldogs Ben Roberts and Corey Hughes adding some respectability.
Sydney now travel to the foot of the mountains next Saturday night to do battle with the Penrith Panthers, whilst the Bulldogs will have nine days to prepare for their travel to Mt Smart Stadium to face off against the New Zealand Warriors.
Sydney Roosters 40
Tries: Willie Mason 2, Amos Roberts, Mitchell Pearce, Craig Fitzgibbon, Setaimata Sa, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 5, Amos Roberts
defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 12
Tries: Ben Roberts, Corey Hughes
Goals: Hazem El Masri 2
At ANZ Stadium
Referee – Tony Archer
Crowd – 36,526
| 57 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
